Top 10 Best Celebrity Voice Performances in DreamWorks Movies
#10: Ed Helms as Mr. Benjamin "Benny" Krupp/Captain Underpants “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie” (2017)
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Viewers know and love this actor from star-making performances in the likes of “The Hangover” and “The Office.” In this film adapted from the series of children’s books, he shows off his comedic stylings in a starring dual role. On the one hand, Helms embodies the seething frustration that the elementary school principal feels towards the pair of protagonists. But once they manage to hypnotize him thanks to a breakfast cereal toy, Principal Krupp (and his voice actor) transform. One scene set in the kids’ treehouse particularly exemplifies this. As George and Harold repeatedly cause Krupp to change into Captain Underpants and back again, Helms hilariously switches between characters at top speed.
#9: Kate Winslet as Rita Malone “Flushed Away” (2006)
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She’s won an Academy Award for Best Actress, plus a Grammy for her narration skills. So when Kate Winslet has something to say, we listen. Although she might be more known for dramatic roles, she had no trouble embodying a sassy sewer rodent either. In contrast to protagonist Roddy’s cushy existence, Rita has had to scavenge for scraps her whole life. Winslet’s accent and snarky delivery perfectly capture the rough-and-tumble attitude that makes Rita unique. Although his character isn’t quite as central, Sir Ian McKellen also deserves props for his portrayal of the Toad, a villainous amphibian with a plot to destroy the rats’ community. In fact, the stage and screen vet won the Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting for his performance.
#8: Reese Witherspoon as Susan Murphy/Ginormica “Monsters vs. Aliens” (2009)
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This sci-fi comedy has a mega-talented cast of hilarious voice actors, including the likes of Seth Rogen, Will Arnett, and Rainn Wilson. But Reese Witherspoon stands out for her starring role as Susan, a bride-to-be transformed by a radioactive meteorite. The actress has discussed the challenge of recording lines without any visual cues to go off of. But from her effortless performance, you’d think Witherspoon herself was growing to gigantic heights on her wedding day. Whether confronting a tyrannical alien or in the midst of a battle on the Golden Gate Bridge, her grunts, shrieks — and, of course, her actual dialogue — keep our focus on the action.
#7: Ralph Fiennes as Rameses “The Prince of Egypt” (1998)
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This acclaimed British actor plays a complex role in this Biblical story. Although once close with his adoptive brother Moses, the Pharaoh takes on the role of a villain when he chooses to keep the Hebrew people enslaved. Fiennes embodies both the angsty teen version of the character, and his much more imperious older self. But he doesn’t just show a huge emotional range. Unlike his co-stars Val Kilmer, Sandra Bullock, and Danny Glover, he actually provides his character’s singing voice as well. With a booming baritone, he makes for the perfect counterpoint to Moses’s pleas in the dramatic song “The Plagues.”
#6: Wanda Sykes as Stella “Over the Hedge” (2006)
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This comedian has graced our TV screens for years, but she’s just as good in animated films. In this comedy, she plays Stella, a wise-talking skunk who finds her and her friends’ habitat threatened by human development. To no one’s surprise, Sykes makes Stella one of the movie’s funniest characters. In a particularly memorable scene, she pretends to be a cat as part of a heist operation on a local homeowner and her cat. Although it seems like Stella will blow it at first, the kitty ends up madly in love with her in a hilarious twist. Sykes imbues the skunk with remarkable humanity, with moments of anger and total infatuation alike. But most of all, the actor and the character simply make us laugh.
#5: Will Ferrell as Megamind “Megamind” (2010)
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Will Ferrell has played his fair share of zany characters over the years, from Buddy the Elf to Mugatu. That makes him perfectly suited for the title role in this superhero comedy about an alien villain living on Earth who takes a grudge too far. While he begins the film as a nefarious mastermind, he’s forced to assume a much more heroic role by the end. This makes for a wide-ranging performance from Ferrell. On the one hand, he’s tailor-made for high-energy wickedness and an evil laugh. But when Megamind takes on the persona of Bernard to woo reporter Roxanne Ritchi, we get to experience a totally different actor in action.
#4: Jay Baruchel as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III “How to Train Your Dragon” franchise (2010-19)
Viewers and critics alike love this series of fantastical films set in a world of vikings and dragons. But it’s undeniable that part of their magic lies in Jay Baruchel’s embodiment of the ungainly son of a chieftain. The actor’s one-of-a-kind vocal stylings perfectly match the character’s offbeat personality, and we couldn’t quite imagine anyone else nailing the role. Hiccup goes through a serious transformation throughout the franchise, overcoming tragedy and becoming a bonafide hero. To be sure, Baruchel masterfully navigates this coming-of-age. But thankfully, Hiccup never loses the personality and distinctive voice that made him stand out in the first place.
#3: Chris Rock as Marty “Madagascar” franchise (2005-)
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When it comes to distinctive voices, Chris Rock is in a league of his own. Before 2005, you might not have expected the comedian’s distinctive cadence to suit a zoo-dwelling zebra. But as we all know, Rock is absolutely perfect in the role. While his companions can be self-obsessed, riddled with anxiety, and quirky in other ways, Marty is easygoing and enthusiastic. Whether he’s bored with his New York City life or overwhelmed by meeting a herd of his own kind, Marty’s delivery keeps us engaged and entertained. And for his expressive and one-of-a-kind personality, we have Chris Rock to thank.
#2: Jack Black as Po “Kung Fu Panda” franchise (2008-)
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Po isn’t only the chosen one, or “Dragon Warrior,” in these action-packed “wuxia”-inspired flicks. He’s also the biggest source of personality, thanks in no small part to the hilarious Jack Black. Po is a source of humor for the audience, but also for his fellow characters. Take the scene in the first film, where Black impersonates Dustin Hoffman’s Master Shifu. But of course, the actor-musician can also pull at our heartstrings with earnest dialogue, like when Po struggles with teaching in “Kung Fu Panda 3.” Throughout the entire series, Black’s lighthearted characterization makes the underdog kung fu student one to root for. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Michelle Pfeiffer as Eris, “Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas” (2003) Famed for Her Sensual Portrayal of Catwoman, Pfeiffer Is Perfect as this Villainous Goddess Jude Law as Pitch Black, “Rise of the Guardians” (2012) This Actor’s Sinister Drawl Makes the Nightmarish Antagonist Even Scarier Ryan Reynolds as Theo/Turbo, “Turbo” (2013) The “Deadpool” Star as a Racing Snail? Surprisingly, It Works Emma Stone as Eep Crood, “The Croods” franchise (2013-20) For Capturing the Curious & Childlike Spirit That Make This Character So Likable Anna Kendrick as Poppy, “Trolls” franchise (2016-) This Actress’ Singing Talents Are No Secret
#1: Eddie Murphy as Donkey “Shrek” franchise (2001-)
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The “Shrek” movies boast an incredible voice cast, with Mike Myers and Antonio Banderas killing their respective roles of the title character and Puss in Boots. But Murphy simply dominates this film series. Amidst a talented cast, his performance was singled out by many reviewers as a highlight of the first film, and he didn’t disappoint in the sequels either. In fact, Murphy received the first BAFTA Award nomination for a voice-over role. With a demeanor that’s half ray of sunshine and half nervous wreck, Donkey is instantly unforgettable. Indeed, Murphy made the sidekick not just one of DreamWorks’s best characters, but one of the best in any animated film.
